Electrical circuit unit with moisture sealed plug-in connectors

Abstract

By a special structure the conductor paths between connection prongs at one end of an electric circuit unit and circuit components located on two circuit boards are greatly shortened. The circuit boards are connected at their ends remote from the connector prongs by studs that releasably snap together while a flexible flat conductor makes connections between the two circuit boards. The two circuit boards are electrically and mechanically connected with separable parts of a plug connector each carrying at least one row of prongs projecting into a plug-in space of a receptacle body. One of these separable parts is integrated into a receptable body, which is provided with an aperture through which the other plug connector part can be slipped and locked into place after the boards have been electrically connected together at their far ends and the circuits have been checked.

We claim: 
     
       1. Electrical plug-in circuit unit having a casing (1,2,47) enclosing a plurality of circuit boards (13,16) and plug-in connector part prongs (10,11; 28,29) leading out of said casing in a manner sealed thereto, comprising: a composite plug-in connector having separate first (8) and second (26,42) plug body parts each holding some of said plug-in prong connector parts (10,11; 28,29) embedded therein;   first and second circuit boards, said first circuit board (13) being mechanically connected with said first plug body part (8) and having its circuits electrically connected to plug-in prongs (10, 11), sealed and held in said first plug body part (8) and said second circuit board (16) being mechanically connected with said second plug body part (26, 42) and having its circuits electrically connected to plug-in prongs (28, 29) sealed and held in said second plug body part, and   fastening means (32, 35, 36, 37, 41) provided at least in part on said first (8) and second (26, 42) plug body parts for holding said first and second plug body parts together and permitting assembling them together with said circuit boards respectively fastened thereto.   
     
     
       2. Electrical plug-in circuit unit according to claim 1, in which said first (8) and second (26, 42) plug body parts are disposed at least partly within a receptacle body (2) forming part of said casing, and shaped for receiving a mating connector for making connections with said plug-in prongs held in said first and second plug body parts. 
     
     
       3. Electrical plug-in circuit unit according to claim 1, in which said first plug body part (8) is constituted integrally with said receptacle body (2). 
     
     
       4. Electrical plug-in circuit unit according to claim 1, in which said fastening means (32, 36, 35, 37, 41) for holding said first and second plug body parts together are constituted in a manner permitting separating said second plug body part (26, 42) from said first plug body part (8) after assembly of said plug-in circuit unit. 
     
     
       5. Electrical plug-in circuit unit according to claim 3, in which said second plug body part (26, 42) is releasably held in an aperture (31) of said receptacle body (2) adjacent to said first plug body part (8) integrated in said receptacle body (2), by said fastening means (32, 36, 35, 37). 
     
     
       6. Electrical plug-in circuit unit according to claim 1, in which said fastening means (32, 36,  35, 37) are interlocking catch means. 
     
     
       7. Electrical plug-in circuit unit according to claim 3, in which said fastening means (32, 36,  35, 37) are interlocking catch means. 
     
     
       8. Electrical plug-in circuit unit according to claim 5, in which said fastening means (32, 36,  35, 37) are interlocking catch means. 
     
     
       9. Electrical plug-in circuit unit according to claim 7, in which said second plug body part (26, 42) is equipped with spring arms (41) springing transversely to the plug-in direction of said plug-in prongs for slipping past insertion ramps (39) and for positioning said second plug body part (26, 42) in said receptacle body (2) by lying against respective locking edges (38a). 
     
     
       10. Electrical plug-in circuit unit according to claim 8, in which said second plug body part (26, 42) is equipped with leaf spring arms (41) springing transversely to the plug-in direction of said plug-in prongs for slipping past insertion ramps (39) and for positioning said second plug body part (26, 42) in said receptacle body (2) by lying against respective locking edges (38a). 
     
     
       11. Electrical plug-in circuit unit according to claim 1, in which a seal member (45) is held between said first (18) and second plug body (26, 42) parts for contributing to sealing the interior of said circuit unit.